Estrogen May Ward Off UTIs in Postmenopausal Women

By Staff

US Pharm. 2013;38(7):18.

Solna, Sweden—Estrogen supplementation may help prevent
urinary tract infections—which have been associated with low estrogen
levels—in postmenopausal women. A study from Karolinska Institute has
found that estrogen stimulates the body’s production of antimicrobial
peptides and strengthens the cells lining the bladder (which become
fragile postmenopausally, affecting the ability to resist infection).
Subjects were treated with estrogen for 14 days, after which cells
excreted in the urine were examined. Estrogen repaired the damaged
epithelium, making it harder for bacteria to break through and reach the
underlying cells. “By treating postmenopausal women locally with
estrogen…the body’s own defense against infection is improved, making
women better suited to fight infections,” said lead researcher Dr.
Annelie Brauner.